The Wally Way (Prompts: Break and Fast)

'... one election at most,' parliamentary member Wally Berkman said to Ram, his personal assistant as he stretched his rotund form on the plush recliner. The backrest creaked, bowed and stopped short of giving way. 'If I don't become the chief minister the next time, I might as well go back to lobbying or to the boardrooms or both.' 

'Why don't you go on a fast instead?' Ram suggested, and much to the recliner's relief, Wally sat up. 

'What will my going on fast do to help further my ambition? Might help shed some weight, but how will I become popular?' 

Ram walked across to a cupboard in the pretext of picking up a jacket with petitions, rolled his eyes, smirked and returned to Wally wearing a poker face. 

'Sir,' he began earnestly. 'Take a look at these petitions. Six of fourteen districts are reeling from poor water supply and people are taking to the streets. If you go on a public fast to uphold their cause, it will endear you to them and the central leadership. If this succeeds, you could go on other fasts and consolidate your position as the de facto people's man.' 

Wally let his gaze wander heavenwards - he was fasting in the middle of an ocean of supporters, friends and countrymen. Media houses had lined up to give the world updates by the minute. The governor, police chief and the ruling party's internal affairs minister were pleading with him to break his fast, but he was in no mood to budge.  Or so it was until a burp from within the deep recesses of his belly interrupted his little daydream. 

'Not such a bad idea,' Wally said while sending a large samosa chunk down his water-slide throat. 'But Ram, I am a diabetic. I can't go without food for that long. I need to be alive in order to become chief minister.'

'Sir,' Ram said. 'You don't have to fast all day. You just need to give the impression you wouldn't mind doing so. The press will ensure you break your fast in an hour or two. Imagine being able to start fasting after breakfast and breaking it before lunch, while still managing to win over the people. You would've made the government act or at least promise to act. A fast fast.'

'I'll tell you what,' Wally said after a minute's contemplation. 'I'll announce an impromptu night-long fast and camp outside the the beach at nine. I can fall asleep after people retire for the night. I would've put in enough hours for it to qualify as a fast without risking my life.' 

'Sir. That won't work. No one will care. Sleeping in public doesn't amount to...' Ram started off and Wally stuck his hand up. 

'Ram! Trust me. This will be a one-of-its-kind fast. I'll do what no politician has done before. At dawn, I will rise with the sun.' Saying so, Wally waddled off, ignoring Ram's , 'but sir...' pleas. 

---

It has been a day since the historic fast. Wally is looking to float a new party after being removed from his party for bringing it to disrepute. Meme creators are having a field day, calling Wally a Night-Wing politician and a reliable laughing-stock that investors can bet on. 

Ram meanwhile has switched to the ruling party.

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top